Integrative VETERINARY CARE
ACUPUNCTURE: HOW IT HELPS MANAGE PAIN IN
CANCER PATIENTS
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www.IVCJournal.com
WINTER ISSUE 2014/2015
NATUROPATHIC ONCOLOGY
OSTEOPATHY FOR DISPLACED OVARIES
HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY
INTEGRATIVE THERAPY FOR BRAIN TUMORS
DIET AND CANINE AGGRESSION
WHAT’ S NEW
Why integrative veterinarians are perfectly positioned to diagnose, treat and help prevent cancer.
Learn how it decreases inflammation, helps with healing, mobilizes stem cells and more.
Studies suggest high-fat beef-based diets lack tryptophan and can lead to aggressive behaviors.
Osteopathic diagnosis and ovary palpation during exams can help make “grumpy” mares more comfortable.
Why innovative new therapies are showing promise.
• New research quantifies health benefits of human/animal bond • Top 5 health issues in small dogs • Research into equine tendon injuries looks at proteins
contents FEATURES
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INTEGRATIVE THERAPY FOR BRAIN TUMORS
Current treatment strategies for central nervous system neoplasias in dogs and cats are often met with poor outcomes, but innovative new therapies are showing promise.
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NATUROPATHIC ONCOLOGY
Integrative veterinarians are well placed to diagnose, treat and help prevent cancer using both conventional approaches and natural therapies.
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HYPERBARIC MEDICINE IN YOUR PRACTICE
It decreases inflammation, enhances cell and tissue function, helps heal slow or non-healing wounds, and proliferates and mobilizes the body’s own stem cells.
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ACUPUNCTURE CAN MANAGE PAIN IN CANCER PATIENTS
This modality effectively alleviates discomfort and improves quality of life, and may even decrease the side effects associated with conventional treatments.
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Nutrition Nook HIGH-FAT BEEF-BASED RAW DIETS AND CANINE AGGRESSION
Studies suggest these diets lack tryptophan, a precursor to serotonin, and may therefore lead to aggressive behaviors.
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NORMAL AND ABNORMAL EQUINE POSTURE
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OSTEOPATHY FOR DISPLACED OVARIES IN“GRUMPY”MARES
How Postural Rehabilitation Intervention can optimize the functioning of a horse’s neuro-musculoskeletal system.
Careful osteopathic diagnosis and ovary palpation during colic and reproductive exams can help these horses live a more comfortable life.
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HOMEOPATHY FOR CANCER
This gentle treatment approach not only abates or resolves cancerous conditions, but also restores overall well-being, without unpleasant side effects.
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Tech Talk HOW ALTERNATIVE MODALITIES CAN BENEFIT YOUR CLINIC
Meeting the growing demand for acupressure and other alternative services is something vet techs can help address and implement.
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advisory board Dr. Richard Palmquist, DVM, graduated from Colorado State University in 1983. He is chief of integrative health services at Centinela Animal Hospital in Inglewood, California, president and research chair of the AHVMA, and an international speaker in integrative veterinary medicine. Dr. Palmquist is a consultant for the Veterinary Information Network (VIN) and co-director of the AHVMA Foundation. He has published two books, one for conventional veterinarians and a second for clients discussing how integrative thinking works.
COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS
Michelle J. Rivera, MT, VDT, is an instructor at the University of Wisconsin and The Healing Oasis Wellness Center, a post-graduate educational institution offering state-approved programs. She is co-owner of The Healing Oasis Veterinary Hospital, offering massage, rehabilitation, chiropractic and Chinese and Western Herbology. Michelle completed the Chinese Herbal Medicine program from the China Beijing International Acupuncture Training Center, and is certified in Chinese Medicine by the Wisconsin Institute of Chinese Herbology.
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Dr. Joyce Harman, DVM, MRCVS, graduated in 1984 from Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. She is certified in veterinary acupuncture and chiropractic and has completed advanced training in homeopathy and herbal medicine. Her practice in Virginia uses holistic medicine to treat horses. Her publications include The Horse’s Pain-Free Back and Saddle-Fit Book – the most complete source of information about English saddles.
40 Industry innovations 42 Veterinary resource guide 55 From the WAEO 60 NAVC highlights
Dr. Steve Marsden, DVM, ND, lectures for the IVAS, the AHVMA and the AVMA, and is co-founder of the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies. He is a director of the National College of Natural Medicine, and authored the Manual of Natural Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Marsden is extensively trai ned in alternative medicine, including Chinese herbology, acupuncture and naturopathic medicine. He has a veterinary and naturopathic practice in Edmonton, Alberta. In 2010, Dr. Marsden was named Teacher of the Year by the AHVMA.
62 From the AVH 63 From the AHVMA 64 From the VBMA 65 Marketplace 66 Events
Dr. Jean Dodds, DVM, received her veterinary degree in 1964 from the Ontario Veterinary College. In 1986, she moved to Southern California to establish Hemopet, the first non-profit national blood bank program for animals. Dr. Dodds has been a member of many national and international committees on hematology, animal models of human disease, veterinary medicine, and laboratory animal science. She received the Holistic Veterinarian of the Year Award from the AHVMA in 1994.
Dr. Barbara Fougere, DVM, CVAA graduated in 1986, and was named the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association Educator for 2011. Dr. Fougere is the principal and one of the founders of the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies. She has continued studying over the last 26 years, and has three Bachelor degrees, two Masters degrees, three post Graduate Diplomas, several Certifications and numerous other courses under her belt.
Dr. Christina Chambreau, DVM, CVH, graduated from the University of Georgia Veterinary College in 1980. She is a founder of the Academy Of Veterinary Homeopathy, was on the faculty of the National Center for Homeopathy Summer School and has been the holistic modality adjunct faculty liaison for the Maryland Veterinary Technician Program. Dr. Chambreau teaches classes in homeopathy for animals, and lectures on many topics. She is the author of the Healthy Animal’s Journal and the co-author of the Homeopathic Repertory: A Tutorial.
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NATUROPATHIC ONCOLOGY By Barbara Fougere, BSc, BVMS (Hons), BHSc (Comp Med), MODT, MHSc (Herb Med), CVA, CVCP, CVBM
Naturopathic oncology is becoming well developed in human medicine. And as people demand naturopathic services to help them cope with the ravages of conventional cancer care, they are also seeking alternatives for their animals. As integrative veterinarians, we occupy an unprecedented position in the field of veterinary oncology.
always something more that can be done to help our patients, and even more phenomenal to be able to improve their health well beyond expectations, and create a “spontaneous remission” – something that the veterinary paradigm says is impossible given the original diagnosis.
THE NATUROPATHIC APPROACH With our expertise, we can diagnose, treat and help prevent disease using conventional approaches as well as natural therapies, diet, herbs or other remedies that influence the natural healing capacity of our patients. Most owners of pets with cancer are desperate, often on a roller coaster of emotional turmoil, so they search the internet to find approaches to “cure” cancer – a regime or unique product with convincing testimonials. When they ask regular veterinarians or their oncologist for guidance, they are often advised against all alternatives. We can guide these clients through the confusing array of products and assist them in choosing a treatment path for their pets. We can offer therapies that halt or induce apoptosis in cancer cells, mitigate side effects, improve the efficacy of chemotherapy and usually improve quality of life. Taking on the responsibility of treating life-threatening aggressive cancer requires a solid understanding of the standard treatments employed in veterinary medicine and by veterinary oncologists. We need to know the prognosis for different approaches (chemotherapy versus radiation, etc.), different cancers, and for the individual pet and family circumstances. We need to present the best alternatives to maximize quality of life and treat the patient. Often, the prognosis is so grave that conventional medicine provides no further options for treatment. Naturopathic oncology offers options even when an animal is considered in hospice.
Although naturopathic medicine draws on diverse and seemingly very different healing traditions, certain principles are shared across these traditions.
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The whole patient
The diagnosis of cancer is important, but the definitive diagnosis is not central to our approach. Naturopathic oncology takes the position of evaluating the whole patient and focusing primarily on improving health and well-being. We need to address all aspects of health promotion, including physical factors (gut function, elimination, inflammation, pain), diet, any specific needs of the patient (dry eye, comorbid renal disease, etc.), the owner/animal bond (including support for the owner), environmental factors, spiritual aspects and even genetic factors. If conventional care is being used, we will look for natural, non-invasive ways to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy or radiation, minimize side effects, and empower our clients to take control of their animals’ health.
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The great joy of being involved in naturopathic oncology is that our toolbox is so much larger than the one other veterinarians draw upon. It is empowering to know there is
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“First do no harm”
We emphasize therapies that are non-invasive and natural and that do not make our patients less well. These can be the main treatments or used with chemotherapy or radiation.
The healing power of nature
We pay attention to the basics of improving general health. • Moderate or gentle exercise. • Positive thinking by the owner – coaching terms like “living with cancer” or “treating it like a chronic disease” rather than a “war” we are “fighting”.
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• Attention to healthy air and environment, avoiding toxins, giving clean water, spending time in nature. • Most importantly, a great diet for that individual’s needs.
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Treating the imbalance
We look for underlying contributing factors to the imbalance in health – often, lifestyle (obesity, lack of exercise), exposure to chemicals and some drugs, chronic stress and dietary influences play a role. Special care needs to be taken to avoid assigning blame. From a naturopathic perspective, cancer arises from an imbalance or accumulation of toxicity, causing a lack of immune surveillance or control that allows cancer cells to grow. We therefore prescribe therapies to restore balance.
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Teaching and empowering clients Empowering our clients to control the things they can, while listening to them with respect and encouraging and supporting them, can make a difference. If they feel empowered, their animals will sense more positive emotions from them, which can improve their own moods and healing.
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Preventative medicine
We need to make sure that everything we recommend or do helps strengthen the immune system and prevent illness. Attention to vaccination, chemical use, parasite control, drug use, etc. is important. If a patient has had any kind of tumor successfully removed, the tendency to produce further tumors has not yet been healed. Now is the time to implement changes to minimize the risk of new tumors.
NATUROPATHIC GUIDELINES Clinical nutrition Recommend the elimination or reduction of dry foods as a key part of the strategy. Highly processed foods may contribute to insulin resistance, the processing of by-products like acrylamides, and may encourage some forms of cancer to grow through their effects on metabolism. Fresh whole foods may enhance the potency of chemotherapy and help protect cells from toxicity. Phytochemicals in plants improve immunity and health. Home-prepared diets are also more palatable and nutrient-rich, often enabling us to hide supplements and herbs in the food. Recommend organic foods, if possible, to minimize chemical exposure. Make sure food is cooked if the pet is on chemotherapy immune-suppressive or gut-damaging drugs. We recommend protein (meat, eggs, fish, chicken), vegetables (especially above-ground vegetables), a small amount of whole grains (<25% of calories), oils and supplements.
Supplements Be conscious of what the owner and animal are capable of. Don’t overdo it. Use products that cover more than one aspect IVC Winter 2014/2015
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